mat yas



" Feb. 6, 1923. 1,443,961

J. MATYAS. MUSICAL NSTRUMENT. ORIGINAL FILED OCT. 5, 1920. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 28 26 F1EURE 7 I INVENTOR 1/056??? Haz BY Z5 Z4 WdmfiMMLW\ 25 ATTORNEY Patented li eh, 19123).

' F "a r n r; s a or TM its wi l: i m ll t i no JOSEPH DELAY?!" I. KTYAS, OF ASTORIA, NEJV' YORK, TU AIMERICAN lv'IUSlFER COMPACNY, ENG, 013 NEVJ YEP/1.5., N.

:lliTE .dSSIG'NlVEEN-TS, :21, J 3. CORPORATION OF MUSICAL INSIEUTflEIiiT.

Application filed October 5, 1920, Serial No. 414,738.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, Josnrrr li ilATYAs, a citizen of the United States, residing in Astoria, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musical instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, and concise description.

My invention relates to musical instruments, my special purpose being to utilize, in the reproduction of sounds, certain desirable qualities possessed by the violin.

More particularly stated, I seek to produce a musical instrument adapted for re producing;- sounds from a phonographic record, but in which, instead of the conventional sound box, tone arm, amplifying chamber and horn, I employ a special reproducer made in accordance with my invention and comprising only a single unit, this reproducer incorporating many of the wellknown and desirable features oi? the violin.

I further see c to so construct and arrange my reproducer as to ei'iable it, under control of a sound record, to translate mechanical vibratory movements directly into sound waves, without canalizing or other-- wise modifying the sound waves before throwing them oii into the air.

In this connection it may be stated that violin tones are characterized by power, delicacy, quantitative volume and penetration.

Briefly summarized the objects of my invention are as follows:

I. To make a reproducer in which sound waves are produced in free air by the vibratory movements of a hollow body mem her having the requisites of a violin box, this hollow body member being for this purpose actuated by mechanism of my invention, and this mechanism in turn being controlled by movements of a stylus needle resting upon a movable sound record.

ll. To provide an improved device to be actuated i'rom the stylus needle and used. for conveying vibrations therefrom, to the box, said device being a vibratory member having the attributes of a violin sounding bar and sounding post, and preferably housed within the box.

lll. To so position the vibratory member just mentioned, relatively to the box, as to vary and improve the sounds reproduced.

IV. To improve the efficiency oi the sound Renewed June 27, 1322. Serial No. 571,279.

holes in the box, and to add other sound holes, analogous to the f holes of the Violin, and so locate the same as to render them of nrarimum eiiicieucy, owing to the position oil" the vibratory member just mentioned, relatively to the holes.

V. To so locate the vibratory member just mentioned as to virtually subdivide the box and thus term therein two distinct sound chambers, each bounded on one side by said vibratory member.

\i 'll') so position the stylus and parts immediately associated therewith, and so form and adapt the stylus mounting to other parts, and also to use more than one stylus, in order to enable my device to be used with vertical-cut record with a lateral-cut record, of the kinds now made.

V1 5 To render the box reversible, and to provide it with a stylus for lateral-cut records and with another stylus for verticalcut records, so that with my device resting in one oi? its normal positions it is adapted For use with iatcrahcut records, whereas b'v merely turning it over it is thereby adapted for use with vertical-cut records.

lll. To prmxidean ii'uprored mute for controlling the sounds at the will of the operator, this mute being arranged to actdirectly upon the vibratory member above mentioned.

To provide an ad i ustable mounting for supper-thug the box at different angles relatively to the record while in action.

To provide various improvements in phonographic reprodrc rs, for the purpose of improving: the general elliciency thereof.

Reference made to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters indicate like y ia-rts tl'irougrhout the several figures. 7

.l ig urc 1 is a plan view oi? my improved musical instrument, the repriiiducer being shown as partly broken away and 01": a form arranged for use with a lateral-cut record.

Figure 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section, oi? the mechanism shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 41 is a fragmentary inverted plan of the reproducer appearing in Figure 1,

and shows more particularly the stylus mounting.

Figure 5 is a section somewhat similar to Figure 3, but shows a stylus mounting suitable for a vertical-cut record instead of a lateral-cut record.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section, and shows my reproducer as adapted for use with lateral-cut records and also verticalcut records.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevation, showing my improved mounting for the reproducer.

Figure 8 is a. substantially central vertical section through a different form of my reproducer, and shows the same as arranged for use with a lateral-cut record.

Figure 9 is a view, partly a plan and part ly a section, of the form of reproducer shown in Figure 8.

A phonograph frame is shown at 8, and may be of the usual or any desired construction, but has in this instance the form of a flat table, supported upon three legs 9. The turntable appears at 10, and carries a center pin 11. Removably resting upon this turntable and centered by the pin 11 is a. record disk 12.

Finger slots 13 are provided for facilitat ing the removal and replacement of the rec- 0rd disk, and two shallow bowls 14, 15 are provided for the purpose of holding stylus needles. A brake lever is shown at 16, and at 17 is a movable pointer. Associated with this pointer is a scale 18, for indicating the speed of the turntable as controlled by the brake lever 16.

A bracket 8 is held in position by fastenings 18, as indicated in Figure 2, and is provided with a barrel portion 8, having substantially the form of a cylinder. The bracket carries a latch 20 and a spring 21 encircling this latch. The latch and spring are housed within a casing 22. Extending into the barrel 8 and adjustable relatively thereto is a supporting post 23, carrying a head 25 which is connected with this post by means of a pivot pin 24. The head 25 is provided with a stem 26, integral with it and projecting from it.

A box 27, of the type used as the body portion of a violin, is provided with a bearing 28, made of metal and having the form of an eye, so arranged that it may be slipped on and off the stem 26. and may thus be used for causing one end of the box to rest upon the rod The operator by adjusting the IOC 23 into different positions relative to the barrel portion 19 can thus cause the box to assume different angular positions relative to the plane of the disk record. considered as horizontal.

The box 27 is provided with an end plate 29: and with sound holes 30, 31. the sound holes being in the end plate 29.

A small hanger 32 is mounted upon the end plate 29 and serves as a stylus mounting. It carries a short leaf spring 33, and mounted upon this leaf spring is a needle holder 34, carrying the stylus needle shown at 35. The stylus lever appears at 36, and extends through a hole 37 in the end plate 29. The leaf spring 33 is held by a clamp 38. the latter being secured by screws 39.

Housed within the box 27 is a vibratory member 40, which forms a valuable feature of my invention. This vibratory member has the general form of a thin partition made of hard wood and extends obliquely across the box, or in other words is inclined relatively to the end plate 29. The extent of the inclination is preferably about thirty degrees. The thickness of the vibratory member may be varied within reasonable limits, but as a general rule may not be far from the thickness of the top and bottom walls of the box.

The stylus lever 36 is secured directly to the vibratory member 40, in such manner that when the stlyus needle is actuated vibratory motions are conveyed from the stylus lever to the vibratory member 40, and thence to the box 27, causing the latter to give off sounds.

Thus in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive the stylus mounting is arranged for us with a lateralcut record. In Figure 5, however, the device is shown as arranged with a lateral-cut record. It is obvious that my improved 1eproducer is also well adapted for use with a universal stylus-that is, a stylus adapted for both kinds of records.

In Figure 5 I show the reproducer as adapted for use in connection with vertical cut records. The stylus holder appears at 41, and is mounted upon a leaf spring 42, the latter being mounted upon a bracket 43 and held in position by a clamp 44. The stylus lever is shown at 45, and provided with an eye 46, the latter being secured to a block 47 of prismoidal form and this block being secured directly upon the vibratory member 40. Similarly, in the form shown in Figure 3, the stylus lever 36 is provided with an eye 48, the latter being secured to the block 47, the latter being carried by the vibratory member 40.

In the form shown in Figure 6 the violin box 48 has two sets of sound holes 49 and 5'0, with which its two main faces are respectively provided. In this form the block 47 is mounted upon a vibratory member 40, of substantially the same form as the vibratory member 40 above described. In the form shown in Figure 6 there are two holes 51 and 52 in the end plate 29, for accommodating the stylus holder 36 for lateral-cut records. and the stylus holder 41 for vertical-cut records.

In Figure 6 as in other figures, the parts aresoproportioned that. the stylus 41, ,used

with, vertical-cut records, is inclinedabout,

.. is to reinforce the sound waves.

sixtyv degrees relative ,tothe plane of the. recorddisk, and that'the. stylus 41', used with, lateral-cut.records, is inclined about ninety degrees relativelyto said. plane, while the. deviceis in action.

. The. mechanism shown in. Figure. 6 .is adapted to :be inverted, for the. purpose of using the box for first playing a vertical-cut record vandthen a lateral-cut record, or vice versa. To shiftfrom the onekind of record tothe other, the box is simply lifted upward so. as to disconnect it from its mounting upon the post 23, and is. then turned bodily over, and replaced, therecord disk beingchanged accordingly. Thus one facexof the reproducer is always upward when a lateral-cut record is to be played, and the opposite face is upward when a vertical-cut record is to. beused. w i

. In the form appearing in Figures 8 and 9 I use a board 53, so located within the box as: to partition oil the compartments within the volutcs 54-. The purpose of the board 53 I find by actual trial that bythe use of the board 53. the clearness, penetration and power of the sound waves is greatly increased.

In all forms of my device the sounds, of

-. whatever kind, are reproduced with power,

delicacy, definition-and penetration.

. The operation of my. device may be readily understood from the foregoing descrip tion.

A record disk is placed upon the turntable, the post adjusted as above described, a d. the stylus needle is brought into engagement with the sound grooves of the record. H The needle, by. its vibratory motion, acts through the medium ofthc-stylus lever and the vibratoryinember 4:0 oriO upon the .box, which is thereby caused to vibrate and re produce the sounds contemplated by the record. The height of the post 23 is adjusted from time to time as required.

It will be noted that the vibratory member it) or a l is so positioned as to divide the space within the box into two compartments, communicating with the open air through different sets of sound holes. The volume and quality of the sounds reproduced appears to be improved by this arrangement.

" The two compartments, or spaces on opposite sides of the vibratory member 4-0 or 40 act as resonance chambers.

No hard and fast rule can be laid down to determine the precise position to be occupied by the vibratory member 40 or 40, such position being best ascertained by trial, and varyin within reasonable limits with varying conditions. However, the angle between the vibratory member and the end plate should irrdinarily be at least 80 degrees to obtain the best results, though smallerv angles may be used as occasion or experience may suggest.

. While I show my device as adapted for use with a disk record, I have in mind that atthe present time the disk record .is the recognized equivalent for records of other forms. I do not limit myself to the precise construct-ion shown, as. variationsmay be made therefrom without departing from my invention, the. scope of which is commensurate with my claims. In view of the obvious fact that my invention may assume a large number of different forms, I invoke the aid of a wide range of equivalents.

Having thus described my invention, what.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

LA device of the character described, comprising a box capable of vibratory move ments for the purpose of producing sound waves in air, a vibratory. member mounted within said box and connected therewith for the purpose of conferring said vibratory movements upon said box, and a stylus lever carried by said box and connected with said vibratory member, for the purpose of conferring vibratory motions thereupon.

2. In a musical instrument, the combination of a box capable of executing vibratory movements in order to produce sound waves in air, a thin vibratory actuating member secured by its edges to said box and housed within said box so that motions of said vib 'atory member are conveyed there from .to different portions of said box, and means controllable by a sound record for conferring vibratory motions upon said vibratory actuating member.

3. In a musical instriunent, the combina tion of a box, a vibratory actuating member located therein so as to form therewith a pair of compartments serving as resonance chambers of different sizes, said vibratory actuating member being so connected with said box as to transmit vibratory motions thereto, and a stylus lever connected with said. actuating member and controllable by" a sound record for the purpose of conferring vibratory motions upon said vibratory mem ber.

1-. In a device of the character described, the combination of a box, a vibratory a :tuating member having the form of a board and mounted within said box, the general position of said vibratory actuating member being oblique relative to the general axis of the box, said vibratory member being so connected with the box as to be able to confer vibratory movements directly thereupon, and mechanism for conferring vibratory motions upon said vibratory actuating member.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a box provided with sound holes, a vibratory actuating member having the form of a board and located within said box, said vibratory actuating member being so positioned within said box and so connected thereto as to be able to transmit vibratory movements to said box, and a vibratory stylus lever mounted upon said box and connected with said vibratory actuating member for the purpose of conferring vibratory motions upon said vibratory actuating member.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a box provided with a plurality of sets of sound holes, one setbeing spaced from the other set, a vibratory actuating member housed within said box and so connected therewith as to be able to transmit vibratory motions thereto, said vibratory actuating member serving as a par tition between said first mentioned set of sound holes and said second mentioned set oi sound holes, and mechanism connected with said vibratory actuating member for conferring thereupon a vibratory motion.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a box provided with an end plate, a vibratory actuating member housed within said box and having the form of a board, said vibratory actuating member being spaced from said end plate by an angular distance of about thirty degrees and being so connected with said box as to be capable oi? transmitting vibratory motions thereto, and a stylus lever comiccted with said viln'atory member.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a box provided with two sets of sound holes, one set communicating directly in one direction with the open air and the other set communicating in a difierent direction with the open air, the vibratory actuating member connected with said box and adapted to confer vibratory motions thereupon, said actuating member being located between the sets of holes and so arranged as to form two resonance chambers of different sizes, and a stylus lever mounted upon-said box and connected with said vibratory member for the purpose of actu ating said vibratory member.

9. In a musical instrument, the combinatiton of a box, a vibratory actuating member housed within said box and so connected therewith as to be able to confer vibratory motions directly thereupon, and a plurality of stylus levers connected with said vibratory actuating member, one of said stylus levers being controllable by a vertical-cut record and another of said stylus levers being controllable by a lateral-cut record.

10. In a reproducer, the combination of a box adapted to vibrate in order to produce sound waves in air, means for supporting said box in either of two normal positions, a vibratory actuating member carried by said box and so connected therewith as to be able to transmit vibratory movements thereto, a stylus connected with said vibratory member and arranged for use upon a lateralcut record when said box occupies one of its said normal positions, and another stylus connected with said vibratory actuating men'iber and arranged for use upon a vertical-cut record when said box occupies the other of its two normal positions.

11. In a reproducer, the combination of a box adapted to vibrate for the purpose ol? throwing ott' sound waves, a vibratory actuating member connected with said box for the purpose of conveying vibratory motions thereto, a stylus lever carried by said box and connected with said vibratory actuating member for the purpose of actuating the latter, and a member located within said box and having the form of a thin board. so curved and so positioned relatively to said box as to reinforce said sound waves.

JOSEPH MATYAS. 

